The Samuel P. Capen Chair in Philosophy and Comparative Literature was instituted in 1998 to support research initiatives in philosophy and interdisciplinary activities in the humanities and the arts that take place at the University at Buffalo. Since its creation, Jorge J.E. Gracia has organized numerous conferences. lectures, art exhibitions, and other events, including an NEH Summer Institute and an NEH Summer Seminar.

Jorge J. E. Gracia, Professor Emeritus, Samuel P. Capen Chair, and is State University of New York Distinguished Professor. He was educated in Cuba, the United States, Canada, and Spain. His PhD is from Toronto and he holds American and Canadian citizenships. He was born in 1942, in Cuba.

Samuel P. Capen (March 21, 1878- June 22, 1956) was an American educational administrator. He served as president of the American Council on Education and as chief of the higher education branch of the Office of Education before becoming the first salaried, full-time chancellor at the University at Buffalo. Capen led the university between 1922 and 1950.

The University at Buffalo has three campuses: the North Campus in suburban Amherst, the South Campus on Main Street in a North Buffalo neighborhood and the growing Downtown Campus, encompassing several buildings in downtown Buffalo.

The Buffalo-Niagara region is a major metropolitan area with a diverse blend of communities, each with its own distinct character and all united in a rich panorama of life.

University at Buffalo Capen Chair